Modifying and formatting a chart using pictorially provided chart elements

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for modifying a chart. Chart elements are provided to a user pictorially. Each picture represents a chart modification. The chart elements are used to modify the formatting of a standard chart according to user preferences. The modified chart document is then displayed to the user including user desired formatting.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for formatting a chart, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a computing device comprising a memory storage and a processing unit, a standard chart; 
 providing, by the computing device, a plurality of chart elements pictorially, wherein each of the plurality of chart elements represents a chart modification for use in changing the standard chart; 
 modifying, by the computing device, the standard chart with one or more of the plurality of chart elements, wherein modifying the standard chart comprises:
 presenting, by the computing device, a first gallery representing a feature of the standard chart for possible modification, wherein the feature of the standard chart for possible modification comprises a horizontal axis title, a vertical axis title, and a depth axis title; 
 receiving, by the computing device, a user selection of the horizontal axis title for possible modification from the first gallery; 
 in response to receiving the user selection of the horizontal axis title, presenting, by the computing device, a second gallery comprising a set of options as to how the selected horizontal axis title could be modified, the set of options comprising a first option to not display an axis title, a second option to display the axis title below a horizontal axis and to resize the standard chart, and a third option to overlay the horizontal axis title on the standard chart without resizing the standard chart; and 
 receiving, by the computing device, a user selection of one of the options from the second gallery to modify the standard chart; and 
 
 displaying, by the computing device, the modified chart. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving an input for selecting the plurality of chart elements. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of chart elements reside in a chart ribbon. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  further comprising providing a plurality of art objects in the chart ribbon for modifying the standard chart by adding and editing drawing elements, text and pictures. 
     
     
       5. A system for modifying a chart, the system comprising:
 a memory storage; 
 a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, wherein the processing unit is operative to:
 receive a standard chart; 
 provide a plurality of chart elements pictorially; 
 receive input for selecting chart elements; 
 modify the standard chart based on the received input, wherein the processing unit in modifying the standard chart is operative to:
 present a first gallery representing a feature of the standard chart for possible modification, wherein the feature of the standard chart for possible modification comprises a horizontal axis title, a vertical axis title, and a depth axis title; 
 receive a selection of the horizontal axis title for possible modification from the first gallery; 
 in response to receiving the selection, present a second gallery comprising a set of options as to how the selected horizontal axis title could be modified, the set of options comprising a first option to not display an axis title, a second option to display the axis title below a horizontal axis and to resize the standard chart, and a third option to overlay the horizontal axis title on the standard chart without resizing the standard chart; and 
 receive a selection of one of the options from the second gallery to modify the standard chart; and 
 
 display the modified chart; and 
 
 a display device for displaying the modified chart. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the processing unit is associated with a server. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the processing unit is associated with a client-side device. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the processing unit is further operative to provide a plurality of art objects in a chart ribbon comprising the plurality of chart elements for modifying the standard chart by adding and editing drawing elements, text and pictures.